Alevism /
Alevi
Turkish: alevılikAdherent to Alevism, a religion counting more than 20 million aherents worldwide; in Turkey about 18 million. Major groups of Alevis are also found in Iran.Alevis are not Alawites, but historically the two are linked and share many aspects of theology.While little reserach deals with the religion of the Alevis, even less has been done to identify their ethnic and historical backgrounds. Still, what is available, clearly suggests that they are of peoples predating the Turkish invasion of Anatolia.